Ascent of The Blessed
1486 ­ Jeroen Bosch

Paradiso
Dante Alighieri

In support of

Overview

A near­death experience ( NDE ) refers to a broad range of extraordinary personal experiences associated with impending death, meditation or a spontaneous onset.
It is safe to say that a NDE is a profound psychological and spiritual phenomenon. In the past NDEs were therefore reported as visions, mystical and religious experiences.

This web site is an online network for NDErs, their friends and families and health professionals. As a network, different areas of interest and needs are touched on.

On this home page, initial information is provided to exhibit that NDEs are not considered unique; to stress that people who undergo them are not insane; and to give guidance for appropriate supports. Alternatively, you may choose to start with the sitemap to find specific information of your interest.

For an extensive archive of testimonials please link to the NDERF's website.

Near Death Experiencers

Near Death Experiencers are a subgroup of people who come close to physical death or may have recovered after being declared dead and as a group display common features in their conscious experience of this event and a consequent transformative process.

Following a Near Death Experience (NDE) people have altered beliefs, attitudes and behaviours.

It is estimated that on average 8 years of a transformative process are needed for an individual after a NDE to be mentally healthy.

A Near Death Experience is not associated with a mental disorder.

Although most NDEs are pleasant, a small percentage are distressing, that is, dominated by feelings such as fear, isolation, or torment.

Australian Attention

Media Attention: 1990, Kerry Packer's NDE.
When Kerry Packer was quizzed as to whether he'd had a classical "near death experience" floating out of his body, moving towards the light and so on, he reportedly told those close to him not to fool themselves because there was nothing out there.

Media Attention: Lateline , ABC, broadcast 30/10/2000:
A team led by one of Britain's leading neuropsychiatrists, Dr Peter Fenwick interviewed people who'd literally been brought back from the dead as soon as they were able to speak. What they found surprised even hard headed scientists on the team. A significant number of people recalled remarkable experiences even after their brains were considered dead.
(http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/s206217.htm)

Perera et al in 2005 conducted a telephone survey of a representative sample of the Australian population, as part of the Roy Morgan Catibus Survey , and concluded that 8% of the population had experienced an NDE.
( Mahendra Perera,Gayan Padmasekara, and John Belanti, Prevalence of Near­Death Experiences in Australia, 2005, Journal of Near­Death Studies 24 (2) pp. 109 ­116)

Media Attention: The Today Show (Ch 9) Life after death? October 17, 2008: Anthropologist Dr Stephen Juan discussed near death experiences.
(ninemsn video)

Research by Cherry Sutherland (1992) on NDEers in Australia, concluded that the NDE should be seen not only as a force for profound personal transformation, but also as a force for positive social change.
(
A very different way: A sociological investigation of life after a near­death experience by Sutherland, Cherie Olga , Ph.D., University of New South Wales (Australia) , 1992) Following is the abstract:

This study has as its central concern the investigation of life after a near­death experience (NDE). The problem was initially to discover whether changes had come about in the lives of a sample of near­death experiencers as a result of their NDE. Once this was established, the nature and extent of these changes was then examined. Underlying this investigation there was also an attempt to discover how near­death experiencers actually 'managed' their lives, and whether, and how, they were able to integrate the experience. Finally, there was an interest in finding a way to conceptualise the complexity of this integration process.

Detailed interviews were conducted and recorded with a sample of fifty near­death experiencers, who were selected by 'availability sampling' and represented a wide range of demographic variables. Using a semi­structured or 'focussed' interview schedule eight main areas were covered: demographic information, details of the NDE, attitudes to death, religious/spiritual affiliations, psychic sensitivities, life direction (including attitudes to self and others), lifestyle priorities, and attitudes to social issues. In addition, further data was later gathered for a 'grounded theory' analysis, via 'theoretical sampling' primarily within the transcripts of interview, but also within an extensive correspondence, and the 'field notes' of individual and group meetings. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on the results.

The results show that a wide range of changes occur following an NDE. Experiencers no longer have any fear of death, they have a firm belief in an afterlife, and they report a noticeable increase in psychic sensitivities. They describe a strong commitment to spiritual growth but a movement away from organised religion. There is a definite shift to a more positive view of self and a more accepting, loving and compassionate attitude to others. They report a marked change in interests and an increase in concern with social issues, which often results in study and career change. The grounded theoretical analysis further discerned a pattern in the way NDErs manage to integrate the experience into their lives, and this was named the 'integration trajectory'.

It was concluded that, in view of the fact that five percent of the population have had such an experience, the NDE should be seen not only as a force for profound personal transformation, but also as a force for positive social change.